The cruise industry’s economic output in Europe reached €40.95 billion (£32.22 billion) in 2015, up 2% on the previous year, the same as its rate of expansion was in 2014 on the year before, CLIA Europe said in a statement.
The fresh figure is an all-time high.
The direct expenditures generated by the industry reached €16.89 billion (£13.39 billion), up from €16.6 billion (£13.17 billion) in 2014.
“The cruise industry continues to make significant contributions to Europe’s economic recovery,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Chairman of CLIA Europe and Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises.
“The impact is clear. More Europeans are choosing a cruise holiday, more cruise passengers are choosing Europe as a destination, and more cruise ships are being built in European shipyards. This translates into great economic benefits for the entire continent, including coastal areas that were hit disproportionately hard by the economic downturn,” he added.
